Brady trying to come to grips with his own douchebaggery
Perhaps as good as the victory itself are the hushed tones that ESPN and NFL commentators have adopted since their "Superman," Tom Brady, has dared to look like a mere mortal during key games this season. Could he, he, be slipping? Are we witnessing the end of the Golden Boy Era? If Belichick's strategies, a healthy Randy Moss, and arrant penalty flags for so much as thinking of touching Saint Brady can't keep him up on his pedestal, then perhaps it's time to stop the incessant sychophantry. It's been highly amusing to see the glazed look in Chris Berman's eyes when he dares contemplate the mere possibility that neither the conference nor even the eastern division are the Patriots for the taking any longer. While the bigger AFC picture is still somewhat up-for grabs, the division is ripe for the Dolphins to leap up and pluck. However, lest I get ahead of myself:
The Jaguars. Weird team. It's not unusual to have a schizophrenic team in the NFL. Every year, there are one or two teams who will vacillate between showing their absolute best and absolute worst from week to week. But the Jaguars have been performing this way for years now. I'd love to look at their injury report and say that it looks favorable, which it does, if this were a normal, more predictable team. The fact is that no one is sure just what the hell Jack Del Rio, his lame leather jacket and his team are capable of. Sure, they're missing a few key players but Jones-Drew is still in their backfield, and he's enough to make any team and their fans a bit nervous.
While the question of whether we're going to get the Dr. Jekyl or the Mr. Hyde version of the Jaguars will only be answered at 1:00 on Sunday, there are plenty of other intriguing elements to ponder and anticipate. Keep an eye on defensive end Tony McDaniel, who the Jaguars traded this past off-season for nothing more than a 7th Round pick; which, in NFL terms, is roughly equivalent to trading him for a tattered jock strap. Word is that McDaniel is itching to prove that Jacksonville backhanded him a bit, and has even walked the dreamworlds and glimpsed his own and his current team's approaching success: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/story/1378110.html
Not this time, Randy. Time for you to start taking plays off again.
The Dolphins secondary seems to keep getting better and better. Sure, they gave up 350 yards passing to Brady and Welker had another day that, if it weren't Wes Welker, would have been incredible. But, most of the major strikes came in the first half. After that, you really didn't hear the name "Randy Moss" or anyone other than Welker's, for that matter. We're even getting to see some well-earned cockiness from rookie cornerback Vontae Davis. If you didn't see it, he threw up the "Number 2" sign to let Tom Brady know that he had just picked him for the second time this season. Let's see some of that confidence and momentum carry over and allow the linebackers to help out on the run, something the Jags are likely to lean on, if Sims-Walker has to sit out.
I'm also perfectly OK with the greater use of the pro set and de-emphasis on the Wildcat. Henne wasn't without his hiccups on Sunday, but Jesus! The guy threw fifty-two times!! And, just like in the Bucs game, he overcame a potentially game-losing interception to mount a brilliant, pass-heavy drive to end up on the mountain top. He's still overthrowing guys several times a game, but most of them harmlessly, and his receivers hands seem to be developing the three-inch-thick calluses needed to catch his 275 m.p.h. passes. It's really fun watching this guy develop. I doubt the Dolphins will ask as much from him against Jacksonville, but it's great to know that he's more than capable of shouldering the load and leading the charge.
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